Highchair Injuries More Common Than Many Parents Think

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When parents purchase a product for their children, they reasonably expect it not only to work as advertized, but also to be safe. In some cases, however, children’s products are negligently manufactured or designed, which can lead to the possibility of serious injuries. One product that can be a particular danger is something that many parents of young children use every day: a highchair. According to recent studies, injuries involving highchairs are much more common than many people might think.

A team of researchers a the Center for Injury Research and Policy at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio recently examined statistics regarding the rate of injury for children in highchairs. They discovered that between 2003 and 2010, approximately 9,400 children under age three were admitted to emergency rooms across the U.S. for injuries sustained in highchairs. On average, about one child per hour suffers a highchair related injury.

What is worse, the injuries that children sustain in highchairs are often serious. About 37 percent of the injuries suffered by children during the period of the study were closed head injuries. Approximately 28 percent of patients suffered injuries to their faces and almost 60 percent had head or neck injuries.

Researchers found that most of these injuries, about 93 percent, occurred as a result of falls from a highchair. About 60 percent of these injuries occurred after children were standing or climbing on the highchair. According to the research team, this suggests that children were either not properly restrained or that the safety systems on the chairs did not work as designed.

Researchers suggest that parents take some basic steps to make sure that their children remain safe in highchairs. Parents should:

• Always use provided restraint systems
• Never leave a child unattended in a highchair
• Make sure that any wheels on the chair are locked
• Always ensure that the chair is stable before placing their child in it

It is also important for parents to watch carefully for safety recalls involving highchairs. It is usually a good idea to register a new chair to ensure that recall notices are received in a timely manner.

If your child has suffered an injury due to a defective highchair or other product, speak to a personal injury lawyer. A personal injury attorney can help you understand your legal options and determine next steps. For more information, talk to an attorney today.